Question about endometriosis

Hi ladies. Sorry this is a little long but I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me. My Dh and I have been ttc for 9 months now without success. I keep looking at websites about endometriosis and find that I have or at one point or another had many of the symptoms described. I spoke to my doctor about this a few months ago and during that appointment he found a polyp which he believed was the cause of my symptoms and more than likely, in the way of us getting pregnant. It's now four months later and I'm still having heavy periods and sometimes pain during and after going to the bathroom the first couple of days of my period. I'm not really sure what to do from here--I was told to give it till month 12 especially since they thought the polyp was the cause but I'm just worried that something else could be wrong and we are wasting time. Any advice would be much appreciated. TIA!

Re: Question about endometriosis

Hi I have endo and was diagnosed by my RE. I would make an appointment with a RE now because you might have to wait about a month for an appointment anyhow. My gyno sent me to one when I was trying for 9 months and was under 30. They will make you go for bloodwork, semen analysis and hsg in the beginning. It can't hurt by getting those done now. As far as your symptoms, they do sound like symptoms of endo but they cannot diagnose it without a lap. Other symptoms are pain with intercourse, bloating around ovulation, and constipation. Have you had any ultra sounds? Did they see any cysts?
I would make the appointment.

Re: Question about endometriosis

Like previous poster said, they will need to do a laparoscopy (sorry, I probably spelled that wrong!) to diagnose you. While doing the lap, they'll do an HSG to check your tubes. If you're tubes are clear, then in theory endo shouldn't cause infertility. However, based on my research there are unknown factors that seem to show a high percentage of women with endo have fertility issues.

I was diagnosed at age 17 with a lap - they did it based on all of my symptoms. I had a second lap 10 years later and they did the HSG along with it since we were going to TTC soon afterwards. I conceived my DD naturally 4 years ago. But, needed IVF this time (after a m/c and over a year of TTC).

Good Luck!!!

Re: Question about endometriosis

Many people get pregnant with endo without issues. The only way to diagnose endo is with a lap as others mentioned. Endo can cause infertility because it's an autoimmune issue. The body attacks itself in trying to attack the endo. It's not always the case though. Endo can also cause the tubes to become constricted (different than blocked) and it can be hard for the egg to be pripelled down the tubes to be fertilized. This is what they are thinking my issue is now.

Re: Question about endometriosis

I have been diagnosed with Endo and had a polyp removed in April. Has your doc touched the possibility of having the polyp removed?

Like pp, having endo is not a definite reason you are not able to concieve, but it does reduce your chances.

Try speaking to your doc and ask to be a bit more aggressive, before the 1 year mark, so if you need to move on to an RE you can a few procedures crossed off your list. GL!

Re: Question about endometriosis

im so sorry you are having issues ttc.

unfortunately, despite the fact that your symptoms scream endo to me- the only way to truly confirm endo is by surgery.

id seek out the help of a RE who can diagnose you, as well as check for other problems.

for me, it took ivf to finally get pregant ( i had moderate endo) but other have been lucky.

good luck and fm me with any questions!

Re: Question about endometriosis

Thanks so much for the advice & responses! The polyp was removed that's why my dr really recommended waiting the full 12 mths because it was a large polyp and he said more than likely it was interfering. He also attributed it to the symptoms I was having but despite having the polyp removed they're all still there & all are symptoms of endometriosis. I know to diagnose would be a lap which is why I'm hesitant if we just wait the few months & see if we get lucky bc there was a polyp previous or be more aggressive and see an RE?

Re: Question about endometriosis

Have you had an HSG to see if your tubes are blocked?

Re: Question about endometriosis

I haven't done any testing bc the dr told me to wait the full year. They did an ultrasound & I had the hysteroscopy done for the polyp and that was clear after the procedure.